Critical Review on Musical 'Hamilton'

Chances are that you’ve heard the question, “Have you seen Hamilton?” if you’ve ever so slightly had an interest in theatre in the past year. This hip-hop rendition of the founding fathers and their contributions to America has revolutionized how we view American history. But “People don’t want a show with wigs” (Billington), so why is everyone making such a big fuss over this musical? Well, the truth is that the show is nothing less than spectacular. Lin Manuel Miranda, the creator and lead actor decided to present the history of our nation’s birth in a way that suits our present-day nation. He phenomenally presented the immigrant, Alexander Hamilton’s extraordinary contributions to America, in a de-wigged way, with the majority of the cast being minorities.

The show has gained, unquestionably, the most publicity than any other Broadway show has ever received, while also being the most expensive in history. Nonetheless, the show continues to sell out in both its touring cities and New York. Not to mention that the show has one of the most impressive trophy cases in the world, with a Grammy, 11 Tonys, and a Pulitzer (Lawrence 2016). Influential people such as Beyonce and Obama have even taken the time to watch the musical as it is changing the face of Broadway and introducing us to a new era of theatre. Sure, this may be a loaded statement; but, there are clear reasons why Miranda’s production is put up on a pedestal.

You probably think of old white men wearing wigs whenever you hear the words “founding fathers”, right? Well, Lin Manuel Miranda took that idea and discarded it. Instead, he decided to select a cast that illustrated the changing dynamics in America, in which a vast majority are minorities. Alexander Hamilton is played by the one and only Lin Manuel Miranda, who is Puerto Rican. African American Leslie Odom Jr plays Aaron Burr. Also, don’t be surprised when you notice women taking on the role of revolutionary soldiers.

This intentional approach to the topic shines a deserved spotlight on the importance of immigrants in the creation and development of America. The most exceptional example of this is clearly Alexander Hamilton himself, who, much like minorities today, felt as though he had no power to contribute to the growing nation. Miranda shoves this theme in our faces when Hamilton and Lafayette sing the sensational line, “Immigrants, we get the job done”. The diverse cast is both refreshing and inclusive, allowing everyone to see themselves in the founding fathers.

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If you’ve heard of Hamilton, you’ve heard of its spectacular soundtrack. Its innovative music has got the audience falling in love from the first note. So what makes it so spectuactual? Miranda decided to fuse politics and history with the music most commonly listened to in America today. He created a musical, with carefully crafted songs, that has become the most innovative and breathtaking soundtrack ever created. The songs are composed of a complicated history that is presented by including various musical styles. In the song “Helpless”, you’ll find a mix of both R&B and pop. In “What’d I Miss”, southern Jazz is included. In “Wait For It”, there’s a touch of reggae. And of course, who could forget the inclusion of hip-hop and rap? The musical begins with the opening song “Alexander Hamilton” and continues with the famous song “My Shot”, leading the audience to the most complex rap of the musical, “Guns and Ships.” Despite the show, including all these genres, the storyline flows miraculously, enhancing the show’s sensationalism. Hamilton’s genre crossover sets it apart from other Broadway musicals and introduces something never seen before. Miranda’s efforts have modernized musicals nonetheless.

Of course, one can’t forget the most memorable characters of the show: Angelica, Eliza, and Peggy Scyular. These girls easily stole the spotlight during the catchy, and Über feminist song, “Scyular Sisters”, in which they also epitomized feminism. Instead of settling with the gender roles, Angelica protests against them, even if she comes off as “intense” or “insane”. She rightfully showed off her intellect, referencing the Declaration of Independence and singing, “And when I meet Thomas Jefferson, I’m a compel him to include women in the sequel! Work!” The song made me feel so self-empowered, I wanted to jump up and shout “Work” with them! Just imagine the wonders this show could do for influential young girls. If I could go back in time, I know that the Scyular sisters would be my role models and that they would teach me to fight for my place in the world.

But it doesn’t end here, as Angelica and Eliza keep stealing the show as the plot moves along. Yet the most iconic scene has to be the last, as the show ended with a literal bang. After various disagreements, Hamilton passes away, after being shot by Aaron Burr. But hold on, the show doesn’t end there, because Eliza, being the powerful woman she is, has one more thing to say. She stands center stage and proudly states that she will keep Hamilton’s legacy alive. She helped in interviewing veterans, raised funds for the Washington monument, and spoke out against slavery. Oh, and she also found the time to establish “the first private orphanage in New York City”. If this doesn't show you that women are so resilient, I don’t know what will. She did the opposite of what was expected of a widow: she persevered. She showed the world she was stronger than they expected, which is an exceptional way of closing this extraordinary production.

Hamilton will never have an issue with filling seats. Its astonishing script, production, and cast will allow it to become increasingly popular. The trendsetting musical will undoubtedly innovate future broadway productions. If you haven’t seen the musical yet, go watch it. Trust me, you want to be “in the room where it happens”.